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Türkiye & Syria Earthquake Relief

02/17/2023

You’ve seen the catastrophic images on the front pages, watched the headlines get grimmer and grimmer: over 41,000 people have died from the devastation caused by the Türkiye (Turkey) earthquake.

To support those in need, Veronica Beard will be donating 10% of sales to the American Red Cross in support of the global Red Cross network, which is on the ground providing food, water, emergency shelter, hygiene supplies, medical care and more. “The level of pain and suffering is immense and the need for support is equally enormous," says Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "This humanitarian response is not a sprint. It is a marathon."

We hope you join us in making a difference. To donate directly, click here.

WHY THIS MATTERS

• This is the deadliest earthquake to hit Türkiye in 100 years, eclipsing the 1999 quake that killed 17,000. Tragically, the casualty rate is now over 41,000, and thousands more injured. According to modelling company Verisk, damages from the earthquakes will likely exceed $20 billion

• The aftermath is that of utter devastation. Nearly 6,000 buildings have collapsed—including hospitals and shelters—with an additional 11,000 buildings damaged. Hospitals are overstretched and understaffed. In some parts of the affected areas, there is no running water, heating or electricity.

• People are under major distress, sleeping in their cars, in tents or outdoors—often exposed to freezing temperatures. Those who have evacuated are in need of emergency supplies, including hygiene items and blankets. Early access to mental health and psychosocial support is critically needed.

• Freezing winter conditions, severely damaged infrastructure and treacherous road conditions are complicating relief efforts. In Syria, conditions are especially dire: a 12-year civil war, worsening economic crisis, recent cholera outbreak and scarce infrastructure and access challenges are compounding the crisis.

• The affected regions already host a high number of displaced and vulnerable families fleeing conflict. Türkiye hosts about 3.6 million Syrian refugees who have fled their country's war—many live in southeastern Türkiye where the earthquakes struck.

HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP

• The American Red Cross is closely coordinating with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and opened a funding designation to help, along with technical support and emergency supplies.

• Between the Turkish Red Crescent, Syrian Arab Red Crescent and international volunteers, there are upwards of 9,500 volunteers assisting in response efforts. They are providing the following:

• Search and essential relief efforts
• Medical care and emergency aid supplies
• Emergency medical evacuations and transport to hospitals
• Hot meals and ready-to-eat packages
• Water and hygiene kits
• Shelter materials
• Blood products
• Mental health and psychosocial support

• Kerem Kinik, president of the Turkish Red Crescent, told Al Jazeera the relief efforts would continue for a minimum of 18 months.

• Red Crescent National Societies in both Türkiye and Syria are providing mental health and psychosocial support to those in need to alleviate distress and refer them to long-term mental health care services where necessary.

• In the Palestinian Refugee camps in Syria, Palestine Red Crescent teams are working together with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to provide life-saving support, including first aid and food distribution.

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